LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
According to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which directory contains essential system binaries required during boot?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse /bin with /sbin, assuming both contain essential boot binaries, but the FHS specifically assigns system administration binaries to /sbin, and /bin is often a symlink to /usr/bin on modern systems, making it non-essential during early boot.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/sbin
According to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), /sbin contains essential system binaries required for booting, repairing, and recovering the system. These binaries are critical before /usr is mounted, such as fsck, init, and route. While /bin also contains essential binaries, the FHS specifically designates /sbin for system administration binaries needed during boot.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/usr/bin
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: /usr/bin contains user binaries, not essential for boot.
- ✗
/usr/local/bin
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: /usr/local/bin is for locally installed software, not essential for boot.
- ✓
/sbin
Why this is correct
Correct: /sbin holds system binaries needed for booting and system repair.
- ✗
/bin
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: /bin contains user binaries, some of which are essential, but /sbin is specifically for system binaries.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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